Device for a user to secure a workpiece

ABSTRACT

A device ( 1 ) for a user to secure a workpiece ( 2 ) that is positioned on a substrate ( 3 ) during the processing of the workpiece ( 2 ) with a hand-held power tool. A stepping element ( 4 ) has a stepping surface ( 10 ) via which the user applies a holding force, and that also has a placement surface ( 11 ) for placing the device ( 1 ) onto the workpiece ( 2 ).

This claims the benefit of German Patent Application DE 10 2011017506.7, filed Apr. 26, 2011 and hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

The invention relates to a device for a user to secure a workpiece.

BACKGROUND

Hand-held power tools are used to cut elongated workpieces to length.The term “hand-held power tools” refers below to power tools such as,for example, angle grinders and chainsaws that an user holds in hishands during the work. Electric as well as gasoline-powered hand-heldpower tools are known. The tool selected depends, among other things, onthe material of the workpiece that is to be cut to length. Chainsaws areused mainly for tree trunks and wooden beams, whereas angle grinders areused primarily for stone curbs and steel pipes.

In actual practice, the workpieces that are to be cut to length are notclamped during the work, but rather are secured by the user who puts hisfoot onto the top of the workpiece. This securing technique entails therisk of foot injuries since the foot is close to the cutting site andthus to the moving work tool. The risk of foot injuries is especiallyhigh at the beginning and end of the cutting procedure since the worktool can move in an uncontrolled manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention is to reduce the risk of footinjuries when elongated workpieces are cut to length by means ofhand-held power tools.

The present invention provides a stepping element that has a steppingsurface via which the user applies a holding force, and that also has aplacement surface for placing the device onto the workpiece. Thestepping surface ensures that the holding force is applied uniformly tothe workpiece. Moreover, it reduces the risk that the user's foot mightslip during the work. The stepping surface is preferably made of anon-skid material or provided with a coating of a non-skid material. Theuse of a non-skid material reduces the risk that the user's foot willslip off the stepping surface during the securing procedure.

Preferably, the stepping element is connected via a connecting elementto a retaining element that has a contact surface for the securingdevice to make contact with the workpiece. The retaining element ensuresthat the securing device is in contact with the workpiece, not only viathe placement surface of the stepping element, but also via anothercontact surface. Thanks to the additional contact surface on theworkpiece, the workpiece that is to be secured is prevented from rollingor slipping away under the securing device when the holding force isapplied.

Especially preferably, the retaining element is configured so as to beadjustable relative to the stepping element. Here, the position of thecontact surface of the retaining element and/or the angle between thestepping element and the retaining element are adjustable. Since theretaining element is adjustable, the securing device can be adapted todifferent workpieces.

In a preferred embodiment, the stepping element is connected via aconnecting element to a support element with which the device can reston the substrate. The support element ensures that the securing deviceis anchored on the substrate and the workpiece that is to be secured isprevented from moving or slipping away.

The support element here consists especially preferably of a firstsection facing the stepping element and of a second section facing thesubstrate, whereby the first and second sections are adjustable relativeto each other using a length adjustment means. Thanks to this lengthadjustment, the securing device can be adapted to different workpieces.Moreover, using the length adjustment means, the stepping element can bealigned in such a way that the stepping surface is slanted by aninclination angle relative to the horizontal plane. The inclination ofthe stepping surface improves the ergonomics for the user. Inclinationangles of about 5° to 20° are ergonomically advantageous.

In a preferred embodiment, the stepping element and the support elementare each arranged at an angle of 100° to 120° relative to the retainingelement. This embodiment is especially well-suited for securingworkpieces having a circular or rounded cross section. Here, the lengthadjustment means of the support element is used to adapt the securingdevice to different diameters and to set the inclination angle of thestepping surface.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, the stepping element and thesupport element are arranged at an angle of 90° relative to theretaining element, and the stepping surface is slanted by an inclinationangle of about 5° to 20° relative to the placement surface. Thisembodiment is especially well-suited for securing workpieces having arectangular cross section. Here, the securing device is adapted todifferent heights and widths of the workpieces using the lengthadjustment means of the support element and by means of theadjustability of the retaining element.

In a preferred embodiment, a protective guard is provided that isconnected to the stepping element and that is arranged on the side ofthe stepping element associated with the hand-held power tool during thework. The protective guard reduces the risk of foot injuries for theuser since the working area of the hand-held power tool is shielded bythe protective guard.

In a first variant, the stepping element and the protective guard arenon-detachably connected to each other. The non-detachable connectionreduces the possibility of improper use by the user. Moreover, Thisensures that the user will not dismantle the protective guard.Preferably, a protective guard is provided on both sides of the steppingelement so that the securing device can be used by left-handed as wellas right-handed persons.

In a second variant, the stepping element and the protective guard aredetachably connected to each other, whereby the protective guard can beconnected to the stepping element on the right-hand and/or on theleft-hand side of the stepping element. The detachable connection hasthe advantage that the securing device can be used by left-handed aswell as right-handed persons, and the user can arrange the protectiveguard on the side of the stepping element associated with the hand-heldpower tool during the work.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be described below on the basis of thedrawing. The drawing does not necessarily depict the embodimentstrue-to-scale, but rather, the drawing is presented in schematic and/orslightly distorted form whenever necessary for the sake of clarity.Regarding additions to the teaching that can be gleaned directly fromthe drawing, reference is hereby made to the pertinent state of the art.In this context, it should be taken into account that a wide array ofmodifications and changes pertaining to the shape and the detail of anembodiment can be made, without deviating from the general idea of theinvention. The features of the invention disclosed in the description,in the drawing as well as in the claims, either on their own or in anydesired combination, can be essential for the refinement of theinvention. Moreover, all combinations of at least two of the featuresdisclosed in the description, in the drawing and/or in the claims fallwithin the scope of the invention. The general idea of the invention isnot limited to the exact shape or details of the preferred embodimentshown and described below, nor is it limited to an object that would berestricted in comparison to the subject matter claimed in the claims.Regarding the dimensional ranges given, values that fall within thecited limits can also be disclosed as limit values and can be employedand claimed as desired. For the sake of simplicity, the same referencenumerals will be used below for identical or similar parts or for partshaving an identical or similar function.

The following is shown:

FIGS. 1A-C a first embodiment of a securing device according to theinvention during the securing procedure of a tubular workpiece on asubstrate, comprising a stepping element, a support element and aretaining element (FIG. 1A) as well as, in an enlarged view without theworkpiece that is to be secured, in a front view (FIG. 1B) and in a rearview (FIG. 1C) of the support element;

FIGS. 2A, B the securing device of FIGS. 1A-C in a side view during thesecuring procedure of a first tubular workpiece having a first pipediameter (FIG. 2A) and of a second tubular workpiece having a second,larger pipe diameter (FIG. 2B);

FIGS. 3A, B a second embodiment of a securing device according to theinvention during the securing procedure of a rectangular workpiece on asubstrate (FIG. 3A) and in an enlarged view without the workpiece thatis to be secured (FIG. 3B);

FIGS. 4A, B the securing device of FIGS. 3A, B in a side view during thesecuring procedure of a rectangular workpiece having a first height andwidth (FIG. 4A) and of a second rectangular workpiece having a secondheight and width (FIG. 4B); and

FIG. 5 a third embodiment of a securing device according to theinvention during the securing procedure of a heavy, rectangularworkpiece.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A-C show a first embodiment of a device 1 according to theinvention for securing a workpiece on a substrate while an user isworking the workpiece with a hand-held power tool.

FIG. 1A shows the securing device 1 during the securing procedure of atubular workpiece 2 on a substrate 3. In the case of workpieces with acircular or rounded cross section, there is a risk that the workpiecewill roll away on the substrate during the work. The securing device 1has the task of preventing the workpieces 2 from rolling away or movingon the substrate 3.

The securing device 1 includes a stepping element 4, a support element 5and a retaining element 6. Here, the stepping element 4 and the supportelement 5 are connected to each other by a first connecting element 7,and the stepping element 4 and the retaining element 6 are connected toeach other by a second connecting element 8.

In order to protect the foot of the user during the work, the securingdevice 1 has a protective guard 9 that is connected to the steppingelement 4 and that is arranged on the side of the stepping element 4associated with the hand-held power tool during the work. The cut ismade on the side of the protective guard 9, so that the securing device1 is suitable for a right-handed person and not suitable for aleft-handed person. In order for the securing device 1 to also be usedby left-handed persons, a protective guard 9 can be provided, forexample, on both sides of the stepping element 4.

The stepping element 4 has a stepping surface 10 via which the userapplies a holding force to the securing device, and, opposite from thestepping surface 10, a placement surface 11 for placing the securingdevice 1 onto the workpiece 2. The stepping surface 10 is provided witha coating 12 made of a non-skid material or, as an alternative, it ismade of a non-skid material.

FIGS. 1B and 1C show the securing device 1 in a front view (FIG. 1B) andin a rear view (FIG. 1C) on the support element 5, without the tubularworkpiece that is to be secured. The support element 5 is configured soas to be adjustable between a minimum and a maximum length using alength adjustment means 13, and it consists of a first section 14 facingthe stepping element 4 and of a second section 15 with which thesecuring device 1 rests on the substrate 3. The second section 15 has afirst foot 16A and a second foot 16B on the side facing the substrate 3.Depending on the substrate 3, the second section 15 can have differentfeet 16A, 16B in order to firmly secure the securing device 1 on thesubstrate 3.

The first and second sections 14, 15 of the support element 5 areadjustable relative to each other. In the first section 14, there is aslot 17 in which a fastening means 18 is located. The fastening means 18consists of a screw 19 and a nut 20. When the nut 20 is tightened, thefirst and second sections 14, 15 are firmly connected to each other,whereas when the nut 20 is loose, the second section 15 is adjustable.

The retaining element 6 serves to firmly secure the workpiece 2 duringthe work and to prevent the workpiece 2 from slipping away. Theretaining element 6 has a contact surface 21 with which the securingdevice 1 rests on the workpiece 2. Tubular workpieces are firmly securedvia the placement surface 11 of the stepping element 4 and via thecontact surface 21 of the retaining element 6.

In the embodiment of the securing device 1 shown, the stepping element4, the first section 14 of the support element 5, the retaining element6 and the protective guard 9 are configured monolithically as a metalbracket without adjustment possibilities. The stepping element 4, thefirst section 14 of the support element 5 and the retaining element 6are arranged relative to each other in such a way that the securingdevice 1 is suitable for securing a prescribed spectrum of tubularworkpieces. The securing device 1 is adapted to different pipe diametersusing the length adjustment means 13 of the support element 5.

FIGS. 2A, B show the securing device 1 in a side view during theprocessing of a first tubular workpiece 22 having a first pipe diameterD₁ of 30 cm (FIG. 2A) and of a second tubular workpiece 23 having asecond pipe diameter D₂ of 50 cm (FIG. 2B).

In order to be able to work tubular workpieces having a pipe diameter ofabout 30 cm to 50 cm, securing devices are suitable that have, forexample, an angle α of about 115° between the stepping element 4 and thesupport element 5, and an angle β of about 120° between the steppingelement 4 and the retaining element 6.

Since the angles α, β between the stepping element 4 and the supportelement 5, and between the stepping element 4 and the retaining element6, are not adjustable, the securing device 1 is adapted to the pipes 22,23 using the length adjustment means 13. The length of the supportelement 5 is set in such a way that the stepping element 4 and theretaining element 6 each lie against the pipe 22, 23, and the securingdevice 1 is supported on the substrate 3 via the feet 16A, 16B.

It is ergonomically advantageous if the stepping surface 10 is notarranged horizontally but rather at an inclination angle relative to thehorizontal plane. The inclination of the stepping surface 10 improvesthe ergonomics for the user during the work. Angles of about 5° to 20°have proven to be ergonomically advantageous. The user can set theinclination angle of the stepping surface 10 using the length adjustmentmeans 13 of the support element 5 and can adapt it to his needs.

The inclination of the stepping surface 10 is set differently when theworkpieces 22, 23 are secured. This can be seen in the fact that theangle γ between the support element 5 and the substrate 3 is different.When the first workpiece 22 is secured, the angle γ₁ is smaller than theangle γ₂ when the second workpiece 23 is secured.

FIGS. 3A, B show a second embodiment of a device 31 according to theinvention for securing a workpiece on the substrate 3 during the work bya user.

FIG. 3A shows the securing device 31 during the securing procedure of arectangular workpiece 32 that is configured in the form of a porousconcrete stone. In the case of rectangular workpieces, thanks to thelarger placement surface on the substrate 3, there is less risk that theworkpiece will roll away on the substrate 3 than is the case withworkpieces having a circular or rounded cross section. Nevertheless,there is risk of injury to the user, especially at the beginning and endof the cutting procedure, due to uncontrolled movements of the worktool. The lighter the workpiece, the greater the risk that the workpiecewill slip away on the substrate during the work.

The securing device 31 consists of a stepping element 34, a supportelement 35 and a retaining element 36. In order to be able to processworkpieces 32 having different heights and widths, the support element35 and the retaining element 36 are configured so as to be adjustable.The support element 35 consists of a first and a second section 37, 38that are adjustable relative to each other using a length adjustmentmeans 39. The securing device 31 is adapted to the height of theworkpiece 32 by means of the adjustable length of the support element35.

Like the stepping element 4 of the securing device 1, the steppingelement 34 has a stepping surface 40 and a placement surface 41. Thestepping surface 40 and the placement surface 41, however, are notarranged parallel to each other, but rather the stepping surface 40 isslanted relative to the placement surface 41 by an inclination angle.The inclination of the stepping surface 40 improves the ergonomics forthe user during the securing procedure. Inclination angles of about 5°to 20° have proven to be ergonomically advantageous.

FIG. 3B shows the securing device 31 in an enlarged, three-dimensionalview of the retaining element 38 without the rectangular workpiece 32that is to be secured. The retaining element 36 ensures that thesecuring device 31 is in contact with the workpiece 32, not only via theplacement surface 41 of the stepping element 34, but also via anothercontact surface 42. The contact surface 42 is oriented at an angle of90° relative to the placement surface 41 of the stepping element 34.

The retaining element 36 includes a contact element 43 having thecontact surface 42 and a sliding element 44. The sliding element 44 runsin two guide grooves 45A, 45B that are fastened between the steppingsurface 40 and the placement surface 41 of the stepping element 34. Theposition of the sliding element 44 can be locked on the stepping element34 or relative to the stepping element 34 by means of a locking device46.

The securing device 31 is adapted to the width of the workpiece 32 onthe basis of the adjustable position of the contact surface 42. Thedimensions of the support element 35 and of the retaining element 36 areselected in such a way that the securing device 31 is suitable for aprescribed spectrum of rectangular workpieces 32. In order to be able touse the securing device 31 to secure four-sided workpieces that do nothave a rectangular cross section, the adjustment means of the retainingelement 36 can be augmented by an angle setting means.

The securing device 31 has a protective guard 47 that is detachablyconnected to the stepping element 34 and that, in the embodiment shownin FIG. 3A, is arranged on the side of the stepping element 34associated with the hand-held power tool during the work. The protectiveguard 47 is connected to the stepping element 34, for example, via ascrewed connection and it can be screwed onto both sides of the steppingelement 34. Before using the securing device 31, the user can adapt itto a left-handed or right-handed person.

FIGS. 4A, B show the securing device 31 in a side view during theprocessing of a first rectangular workpiece 48 having a first height H₁and a first width B₁ (FIG. 4A) and of a second rectangular workpiece 49having a second height H₂ and a second width B₂ (FIG. 4B). Here, thefirst workpiece 48 is higher than the second workpiece 49 (H₁>H₂), andthe second workpiece 49 is wider than the first workpiece 48 (B₁>B₂).

The length of the support element 35 is set in such a way that theplacement surface 41 of the stepping element 34 rests on the workpiece48, 49, and the securing device 31 is supported on the substrate 3 viathe support element 35. The position of the retaining element 36 is setin such a way that the contact surface 42 rests on the workpiece 48, 49.Thanks to the retaining element 36, the workpiece 48, 49 that is to besecured is prevented from moving or slipping away under the steppingelement 34 when the holding force is applied.

The securing device 31 is suitable for workpieces having a height of upto about 50 cm. Higher workpieces are not suitable for this securingtechnique since the height at which the stepping surface 40 is locateddoes not allow the user to work ergonomically.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of a device 51 according to theinvention for securing a workpiece 52 on the substrate 3. In the case ofheavy workpieces such as, for example, edge stones for curbs, there isvery little risk that the workpiece 52 will slip away during the worksince it is very heavy. In this case, there is no need to support andanchor the securing device 51 on the substrate 3. The configuration ofthe support element of the securing device 51 differs from that of thesecuring device 31.

The securing device 51 consists of the stepping element 34, theretaining element 36 and another contact element 53 having anothercontact surface 54. In order to be able to process workpieces ofdifferent widths, the retaining element 36 is configured so as to beadjustable.

The workpiece 52 is clamped between the contact surface 42 of theretaining element 36 and the contact surface 54 of the contact element53. Here, the term “clamped” means that there is as little leeway aspossible between the contact surfaces 42, 54 and the workpiece 52. Thisarrangement prevents the securing device 51 from slipping away due touncontrolled movements of the work tool relative to the workpiece 52during the work.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for a user to secure a workpiecepositioned on a substrate during processing of the workpiece with ahand-held power tool, the device comprising: a stepping element having astepping surface, the user applying a holding force via the steppingsurface; and a placement surface for placing the device onto theworkpiece; wherein the stepping element is connected via a connectingelement to a support element, the device restable via the supportelement on the substrate wherein the support element includes a firstsection closer to the stepping element and a second section further awayfrom the stepping element, the first and second sections adjustablerelative to each other using a length adjuster and wherein the steppingelement is connected via a connecting element to a retaining elementhaving a contact surface for the device to make contact with theworkpiece and wherein the stepping element and the support element arearranged at an angle of 110° to 120° relative to the retaining element.2. A device for a user to secure a workpiece positioned on a substrateduring processing of the workpiece with a hand-held power tool, thedevice comprising: a stepping element having a stepping surface, theuser applying a holding force via the stepping surface; a placementsurface for placing the device onto the workpiece; and a protectiveguard connected to the stepping element and arranged on a side of thestepping element associated with the hand-held power tool during theprocessing.
 3. The device as recited in claim 2 wherein the steppingelement and the protective guard are non-detachably connected to eachother.
 4. The device as recited in claim 2 wherein the stepping surfacehas a non skid coating separate from the protective guard.